United Arab Emirates (UAE) head coach Lalchand Rajput commended the associate nations’ display in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, emphasizing their competitiveness on the global stage. Despite UAE’s upcoming return after facing South Africa, they drew encouragement from victories over Canada and strong performances against New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Rajput expressed his belief in the capabilities of associate teams, noting their talent showcase on a significant platform like the T20 World Cup. He highlighted the impressive performances of various teams, including Nepal, Netherlands, USA, Scotland, and Italy, against established cricketing nations.
Advocating for more match exposure for associate countries, Rajput stressed the importance of facing diverse situations to enhance confidence and skills. He underscored the necessity for competitive games to prepare teams for high-pressure scenarios and emphasized the growth opportunities provided by global tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
UAE’s focus post the T20 World Cup shifts to qualifying for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, aiming to climb from their current position at the bottom of the World Cricket League 2 points table. Rajput highlighted the challenges faced by associate nations in securing more games due to factors like calendar constraints and funding limitations.
Rajput praised the appeal of T20 cricket for associate nations, citing its suitability for fearless play and the need for longer format exposure to develop players’ skills. He discussed the significance of introducing red-ball cricket in UAE to enhance players’ adaptability and performance in different formats.
